Mary Jean Martell Mason's Obituary
On May 12, 2026, Mary Jean Martell Mason passed away in Frederick, Maryland with her son and daughter by her side. Mary was born on January 5, 1941 in Petosky, Michigan, the first baby born in the area that year, and the third and final daughter of Cecil and Janet Trembley Martell. At the age of 6 months, Mary's father moved the family to Romeo and onto the orchard where he grew up. Mary built many memories with her sisters on the orchard, playing under the large willow tree with her sister Nancy and eating peaches fresh from the trees. When she was 7 years old, the family made a final move to Washington Street in town.
After graduating valedictorian from Romeo High School in 1959, this homecoming queen attended Michigan State University. At MSU, Mary joined the Alpha Phi sorority making lifelong friends. In the spring of 1963, Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts and married John Murwyn Mason, Jr, a fellow MSU graduate. Mary went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising, working for a time at J.L. Hudson Department Store.
In 1966, Mary gave birth to a baby girl that she named Anne, after a dear childhood friend. Three years later, a baby boy arrived and was named John. After a couple of moves in just a few years, the family arrived in the Philadelphia suburbs in 1973. By 1975, Mary was introduced to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's (PMA) Fairmount Park houses' tour guide program. Through this program, Mary learned the history and culture of the late 18th and early 19th century homes of wealthy Philadelphia families. Mary continued guiding in the Park Houses for over 25 years. Along with this passion came a desire to interpret the history of the historical sites in the City: Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, the Liberty Bell Museum, Christ Church, Elfreth's Alley, among others. She dressed in Revolutionary War costume to give tourists a sense of the era.
Mary stayed active with her Alpha Phi Sorority's alumni group, annually taking heart‑shaped lollipops to local businesses as a fundraiser for women's heart health. In 1987, Mary helped establish the Eta Epsilon chapter at Villanova University, which her daughter joined as a charter member.
Mary leaves behind many dear friends and family members. Daughter Anne (Michael) and son John (Ellen) as well as their children Chris, Peter, John, Daniel, and Sydney will remember their Mom/Mimi with love. Their memories will be full of the many special holiday traditions and family trips that filled the years. Mary will also be remembered by her dear friends Susan Kellogg and Nancy Laporta, as well as many other guides, sorority sisters, and Questers members. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters, Patricia and Nancy.
Internment will be at Resthaven Cemetery, Frederick, Maryland. A service honoring her memory will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Heart Association.
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